Why Rico Dowdle Could Be the Steady Hand the Broncos' Backfield Needs
For the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season, the Denver Broncos’ ground game was humming. J.K.
Dobbins brought a spark to the offense, showing flashes of the explosive runner he’s always had the potential to be. But then came the all-too-familiar setback - a season-ending foot injury that sidelined him just as the team was gearing up for its playoff push.
Dobbins was practicing leading up to the AFC Championship Game, but ultimately couldn’t suit up.
It’s a tough break for a player who’s battled through more than his share of injuries. And while Dobbins’ talent is undeniable, the Broncos now face a hard truth: availability matters.
At this point, Denver can’t afford to re-sign Dobbins and simply hope he stays healthy. The team needs stability in the backfield - a reliable presence who can carry the load week in and week out.
Enter Rico Dowdle, a name that might not turn heads at first glance, but one that deserves a closer look.
A Quietly Productive Back
Dowdle signed a modest one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Carolina Panthers last offseason - a move that flew under the radar at the time. His early returns weren’t eye-popping: just 83 yards on 28 carries through the first four games.
But then something clicked. Over the final 13 games of the season, Dowdle racked up 993 rushing yards on 208 carries, finding the end zone five times in that stretch.
Project that production over a full 17-game slate, and you’re looking at a back on pace for nearly 1,300 rushing yards. That’s not just serviceable - that’s feature-back territory.
And this wasn’t a one-off. Dowdle has now posted back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards - 1,079 in 2024 and 1,076 in 2025.
He’s also added 78 receptions for 546 receiving yards across those two seasons. That kind of dual-threat capability adds real value, especially in today’s NFL, where versatility out of the backfield is a must.
What Dowdle Brings to Denver
What makes Dowdle such an intriguing fit for the Broncos isn’t just the production - it’s the consistency. He’s shown he can be a dependable workhorse, averaging around 82 total yards per game. That’s the kind of floor Denver hasn’t had in a while at the position.
He’s not a flashy name. He’s not going to dominate headlines. But he’s the kind of back who can quietly churn out yards, keep the offense on schedule, and give the Broncos a reliable option to lean on - especially when the weather turns cold and the run game becomes even more critical.
And perhaps just as important: he stays on the field. In a league where durability is often the difference between a good season and a lost one, Dowdle’s ability to suit up week after week matters.
A Sensible Move in a Pivotal Offseason
Denver is heading into a crucial offseason. The team showed real progress in 2025, but the lack of a consistent run game after Dobbins went down was a glaring issue. If the Broncos want to build on their momentum and make a deeper postseason run in 2026, they can’t afford to roll the dice at running back again.
While big-name targets like Breece Hall are bound to generate buzz, Dowdle represents a smart, potentially cost-effective solution. He’s proven he can produce in different systems, across multiple teams. That kind of adaptability suggests he could thrive in Denver’s scheme as well.
We don’t yet know what kind of contract Dowdle will command in free agency, but his resume - two straight 1,000-yard seasons, consistent production, and durability - should draw interest. For the Broncos, he could be exactly what they need: a steady, reliable back to anchor the run game and take pressure off the rest of the offense.
Bottom line: Denver doesn’t need a superstar in the backfield. They need someone they can count on. Rico Dowdle might just be that guy.